Here is the latest news related to our merchants and events in Easton, Maryland.

The Eastern Shore of Maryland community came together to help Comfort Keepers® collect 540 lbs. of food through its Feed Seniors Now™ food drive for local seniors in need during September, Hunger Action Month.

“We asked the community to help make food donations to assist local seniors and raise awareness of the growing epidemic of senior hunger and malnutrition, and they came through with open arms,” said Amy Fenzel, General Manager of the Eastern Shore Comfort Keepers. “It is obvious the people of our community care about helping our elders, and with this kind of support, we will be able to help our senior neighbors live healthy, independent lives by getting the food and nutrition they need.”

“There are many factors involved in malnutrition, and hunger is just one of those,” said Fenzel. “We hope this campaign helped people to understand the depth and seriousness of the malnutrition problem among seniors and how it impacts families beyond just food security and availability.”

Malnutrition is the result of the body not absorbing enough nutrients – which can be caused by hunger, and many other factors including lack of interest in eating, loneliness, dental problems, or the side effects of medication. It can have an immediate impact on the body, mind, and the safety of senior citizens. When seniors suffer from malnutrition, their bodies may become weak or unstable and their minds may become fatigued. The combination of these two effects significantly increases the risk of a fall and many other common accidents. It can also weaken their immune systems which will increase seniors’ chances of becoming ill. The seriousness of malnutrition cannot be stressed enough, especially considering that one in nine seniors is at risk of hunger in America according to Feeding America, and as many as 85 percent of seniors in the care of others suffer from malnutrition according to the National Resource Center on Nutrition and Ageing. For seniors, malnutrition means the potential for increased hospital stays, increased health complications, early entry into assisted living or even premature death.

In response to a growing need for awareness about senior hunger, the Comfort Keepers system has launched a nationwide campaign called Feed Seniors Now to create awareness for the importance of a healthy diet for those 65 and over. This senior nutrition campaign aims to help seniors preserve their independence by providing diet and nutrition information, encouragement and necessities.

For more information on the local Nourish Senior Life campaign, please contact your local Comfort Keepers office at 410-822-4414 or easton-596.comfortkeepers.com.

###About Comfort Keepers®

Comfort Keepers® is a leading franchise network in the in-home care market for senior and other adults needing care. Since its founding in 1998, the company has grown to more than 700 franchised locations around the world by staying true to the founders' goal of providing in-home care services that allow clients the opportunity to age in place. In August of 2009, the brand was strengthened even further by the purchase of the franchisor, CK Franchising, Inc., by Sodexo, one of the world's leading food and facilities management services companies and the global leader in the health care and seniors markets. For more information, visit www.comfortkeepers.com.